Close
1Unless stated otherwise, all notification data is AHPRA data.
Complaint types: ‘Other ‘comprises one complaint in each of seven categories: boundary violation, medication, communication, teamwork/supervision, informed consent, and monitoring and compliance action.
The Chinese Medicine Board of Australia updated its position statement on translating publications and completed the annual revision of the Nomenclature compendium of commonly used Chinese herbal medicines.
In October, the Board published Contributing to risk-based Chinese medicine regulation in Australia. This report was carried out to review national and international data to identify possible risks arising from the use of Chinese medicine, and to review them for practice in Australia. The report finds that Chinese medicine practice is generally safe in the Australian regulatory environment, while also identifying areas to consider for further responses.
The Chinese Medicine Accreditation Committee consulted on draft revised accreditation standards.
The Board called for applications for appointment to this committee and reappointed Dr Meeuwis Boelen, external to the profession; Dr Wei Hong (Angela) Yang, practitioner member; Associate Professor Christopher Zaslawski, practitioner member; and Mr David Schievenin, practitioner member, and appointed Ms Suzi Shu Yi Mansu, practitioner member, for three-year terms. The Board expressed gratitude for the valued contribution of outgoing member Dr Jian Sheng (Jerry) Zhang.
The Chinese Medicine Reference Group’s purpose is to enhance a common understanding of the National Scheme from the differing perspectives of stakeholders. The third meeting took place in Melbourne in August and a communiqué was published. The Board called for applications for the second term, also adding a position for a new graduate. Ms Dina Tsiopelas and Dr Kevin Ryan were reappointed. Dr Shengxi (George) Zhang PhD, Ms Honglin (Linda) Yang and Ms Laura Sutton (new graduate) were newly appointed. The Board sincerely thanked outgoing members, Dr Carolyn Ee and Ms Geraldine Robinson.
The Board held a forum in Hobart in February. The Board and AHPRA continue to work with the profession on advertising. A bilingual presentation was held in Canberra in August. An analysis of the feedback from practitioner forums gave useful insight into the issues concerning the profession.
In May, the Board met with representatives from the six national professional associations:
This enabled information-sharing and lively discussion about issues that affect Chinese medicine practitioners.
Important topics included an update on the Board’s work, and the associations explored the prospect of endorsement to use certain scheduled herbs. We also discussed a pneumothorax education package developed by the Chinese Medicine Council of NSW that will soon be available to practitioners. All parties agreed the meeting was a success and will occur annually. A joint communiqué was published.
The Board welcomed Ms Bing Tian as a practitioner member for her first term. Current Board members were reappointed.
The Board announced the frozen registration fee of $579.
Eight members attended a Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation (CLEAR) regional symposium in Wellington, New Zealand, in November. The symposium examined approaches and mechanisms used by occupational regulators to show they are protecting the public interest.
The Deputy Chair and Executive Officer visited the Chinese Medicine Council of NSW in April. In the spirit of partnership, they discussed the need for relevant information exchange.
Distinguished Professor Charlie C. Xue, Chair